Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 7

Soil erosion, or the removal of the upper layer of soil, poses a significant threat to many vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries, due to several factors, which include poor drainage systems, composition of soil, location of the settlements, soil dynamics, triggering agents from geohazards, etc. This study, therefore, aims to critically assess the causes and impacts of the gully erosion menace in the Auchi community of Edo State, Nigeria. An integrated approach to data collection was adopted in this study. The methods include the remotely sensed data, data acquired from field observations, and responses from questionnaires, as well as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, which were used to delineate the boundary of the contributing watershed upstream of the study site. After thorough data processing and analysis, it was determined that several factors contribute to the gullying in the Auchi area. These factors include excessive rainfall, the underlying geology of Auchi, the characteristics of the soil at the affected sites, deforestation, and local practices that encourage runoff. Additionally, inadequate drainage systems and a lack of effective erosion control measures by governments at various levels have exacerbated the issue. These combined factors have led to significant erosion, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of settlements and other infrastructure. However, the natural causes of the gullying far outweigh the anthropogenic ones. The main implications of the findings herein are that the Gully erosion in the Auchi area has significantly impacts the environment, economy, and communities by causing soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and threats to water resources and human livelihoods. After examining the causes of gullying in Auchi and its impacts on the residents and the environment, a number of recommendations have been proposed. These include: 1. Adoption of coordinated measures by governments at all levels to address the erosion issue in the area. 2. Enactment of relevant laws to discourage factors that contribute to erosion and the expansion of gullies in Auchi. 3. Implementation of specific reclamation measures. 4. Deliberate efforts by the relevant Federal ministries to refill and construct a proper drainage system for the area, ensuring that it channels water to safe discharge points downstream. These recommendations aim to mitigate the effects of gully erosion and protect the community from its damaging impacts.